Hattuşaş , near modern Boğazkale (formerly Boğazköy), was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age.

The highest and southernmost point in the city fortifications is marked by the articificial ridge of Yerkapı. The city wall, which arches up toward the summit from the Lion Gate in the west and the King´s Gate in the east, crowns the ridge, with the Sphinx Gate located just at the center. In contrast to the other grand city gates, it is not flanked by towers, but passes directly through a tower. It takes its name from the four sculpted sphinxes that once adorned the great blocks on either side of the doorways
(Location: Boğazköy /Hattuşaş )

Uploaded by slavica on 1/17/2010, viewed 5298 times.